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US Vice President Kamala Harris made history in becoming the first Black and South Asian woman to be elected to the vice presidency. One Republican lawmaker, however, questioned whether Harris understands the experience of Black Americans as both of her parents are well-educated.
During his remarks at the annual CPAC event, GOP Rep. Darrell Issa said that Harris may not really understand what many Black Americans have experienced due to both parents having high educational attainments. Issa made the remarks when he was pressed on his memories of Harris during her time as a state politician for California.
Issa recalled during the Democratic primary debate when Harris blasted now-US President Joe Biden for nostalgically recalling working with senators who supported racial segregation. According to Issa, Harris did it to make it seem that Biden was out of touch with the Black community but then claimed that the vice president also had problems in that aspect.
“Remember, this is a young woman who grew up with all the benefits,” said Issa. “Her family, you know, they’re both doctorate-level, they enjoyed a beautiful home in a good area of Oakland, and she enjoyed the best growing up. And so I’m not sure that her telling him that he didn’t understand the Black experience, I’m not sure she really understands it.”
In other related news, Biden announced his Supreme Court nominee Friday last week, nominating DC federal judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to succeed Justice Stephen Breyer in the high court. A White House official told CNN that Harris played an integral part in the process of which Biden chose his Supreme Court nominee.
Biden also said during his remarks introducing Jackson last week that he also sought Harris’s advice in the selection process.
The White House official said that Harris spoke to each nominee via one on one video call. Prior to Biden’s announcement, CNN also reported that the US leader met with the three final nominees in person: Jackson, South Carolina District Court Judge J. Michelle Childs, and California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger.
Harris was also part of the consent process this year, consulting with senators from both political parties about the possible nominee.
